NYAPRS is extremely pleased to let you all know that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a provision that provides an income tax check-off for mental health public awareness.This initiative is the first of its kind in the nation, and represents a great victory for the Mental Health Association in NYS and its tireless leader Glenn Liebman, but also for all of the agencies and individuals who advocated on its behalf, including many NYAPRS members.

In sharing the great news this morning, Glenn added that “Now when you fill out your income tax forms or when you e-file, you will see a tax check off for mental health public awareness. That check off will help fund an anti-stigma public awareness campaign,” which he described as a “major step forward in our fight to end the devastating impact of the stigma and discrimination of mental illness.”

Great thanks are due to Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of this movement and signing the bill into law, as well as for the crucial leadership of the bill’s sponsors – Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Senator David Carlucci – and for the determined support of Senator Rob Ortt.